Kid's meals for adults

[SKYYCAMEL]

Are kid's meals at QS spots big enough to satisfy an adult? Just trying to save a little money when and where we can.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The issue with kids meals at most QS is that they're often really limited. Are you typically satisfied by 5-6 carrot sticks, a couple grapes and an Uncrustable?

 

[wilkeliza]

It depends on what you like. I find that the kid's pizzas, burgers, chicken nuggets, etc are more then enough for me. The great part is you usually get two sides (if it says carrots and grapes you can ask to sub one for fries, or apple slices, etc as long as the restaurant has that as a side). You can also get a small soda instead of milk or water.

IDK where the PP got it but Disney's kids meals are not just uncrustables there are a lot more options than that at most table service and quick service locations.

 

[WDW Traveler]

I get kids meals at a lot of locations in Disney and have always been happy. I don't do it to save money I do it as to not waste money and food. Sometimes the adult meals are way too much for me and I end up throwing half of it away. Sure some places may be limited on choices, but most places have fairly decent options. Personal preference I think. Search menus online, you might be surprised.

 

[SKYYCAMEL]

Thanks for your replies. I'm a pretty big guy (6'1" 200#), but I prefer lighter meals at lunchtime.

 

[alex9179]

We often don't like the kid selections so we'll usually share adult meals. There are 5 of us so it's pretty easy to find 2-3 things that are enjoyed by everyone. I think a combination of the two strategies would work ok for a family/couple.

If you have a small to moderate appetite, or like snacking, I think a kid meal would serve you just fine when it sounds appealing.

 

[cassie58]

There are many QS where you could share if you are not starving or have a big meal planned for later. Cosmic Rays in MK has a half chicken w/mashed potatoes, Flame Tree BBQ in AK has chicken or ribs with sides, Sunshine Seasons in Epcot (near Soarin) has large sandwiches w/chips, pork chop w/ mashed, etc. There are also some places with kid meals that are smaller versions of adult meals, like Vader chicken and waffles at Backlot Express in HS. So you should have plenty of options!

 

[bluezy]

I often order the kids meals for myself at Disney. I find most of the kids meals to be more than enough food for me. I've also just ordered a regular sized sandwich (no sides) for myself and taken a few fries or carrots or whatever from the kids or my husbands meals -- we rarely finish all of the food at the QS restaurants. They used to deduct $2 from the cost of the meal if you only ordered the sandwich as opposed to the "combo meal". I don't know if that's still true though -- I had heard they stopped doing it but didn't test it out when we were there last summer.

 

[Anthony1971]

My wife and I and kid order kids meals at our resort at night 2-3 times a trip... We enjoy the kids hamburger to me it is far better than what Disney now serves as an adult hamburger -- use to like Disney hamburgers-- you get a hamburger fries or fruit and a cookie or fruit 2 sides your choice and a kids size milk which we enjoy with the cookie or get apple juice for our kid for drinks in the room or park... we think it is plenty of food and after eating a TS lunch we just are not that hungry if we are we would order an adult meal... To give you an idea the hamburger is larger than what MCDs is you get a LOT more fries as in maybe a medium size fries if you choose that and a decent size chocolate chip cookie.

 

[joannamet]

Do you normally 'clean your plate' at restaurants? If you normally take home leftovers from restaurant meals a kid's meal might be a better choice for you since you won't want to carry leftovers around the park with you. If you usually finish your meal then it probably won't be enough food. I eat very small portions so a kid's meal works for me but it wouldn't be enough for DH. Sometimes its not even enough for my 12 year old daughter.

I think the bigger issue, though, is choices. For example, at Yak and Yeti Local Food (QS) the kid's menu only has cheeseburger, chicken strips or uncrustables. At Harambe Market you could get a corn dog or ribs. At Sunshine Seasons you get more choices, Turkey Meatloaf, Macaroni & Cheese, Caesar Salad with Oak-fired chicken and grapes, Pizza Panini with green beans, Uncrustables PB&J with gelatin, Salmon, Chicken Drumstick with Rice, Chicken Wrap.

If you're flexible you can combine small meals with occasional snacks and save some money but you can't always get what you want to eat.

 

[prprincess]

I think so. I prefer a lighter lunch as well, and it's usually enough food to satisfied me.

 

[disnut8]

I get kids meals sometimes just because I'm not a big eater. And, the sides are easy enough to take along with me and enjoy later. And I can tell you that no one looks at you funny when you order a kids meal and a beer to go with it (I save the water for later).

 

[loves to dive]

If I eat QS, it's normally a kid's meal but I'm a small woman and don't eat a lot. I'll get the fruit for later as a side since I can't really finish even a whole sandwich most of the time. I've never had a hamburger or an uncrustable or chicken nuggets by the way at a QS, kids or adult.

 

[ShellieMimi]

I always joke about what kind of "kids" they're feeding, exactly, when I order a child's chicken nugget* QS and it comes out with four large pieces of (delicious!) breaded chicken (well, chicken mush) that are more like chicken tenders than nuggets, enough fries to fill Shaq's shoe, a cookie, and a drink.

*not a food I would be likely to feed to an actual child, but I digress...

It's so unhealthy. I must do it once per trip. The adult version would just be ridiculous, though. I think it has double the chicken (either six or eight pieces, but I think it's eight) & fries spilling off the plate.

 

[WiscMomof2]

It depends on what you like. I find that the kid's pizzas, burgers, chicken nuggets, etc are more then enough for me. The great part is you usually get two sides (if it says carrots and grapes you can ask to sub one for fries, or apple slices, etc as long as the restaurant has that as a side). You can also get a small soda instead of milk or water.

IDK where the PP got it but Disney's kids meals are not just uncrustables there are a lot more options than that at most table service and quick service locations.

100% agree with you. IMO with two sides and drink, not only are they filling enough for a lighter meal, but a pretty good value.

 

[DisBuckMan]

Depends on where you are. Most are decent sized. Kids' breakfasts at BoG are a complete joke.

 

[KrazeeK120]

My DH and I often enjoy kid's meals for lunch (and sometimes dinner too). I think they're plenty of food, and often have healthier side items like grapes or carrots.

 

[Simba's Mom]

The only problem I've found with lots of kids meals (which size-wise I prefer) is the limited options. Most places seem to have the same few choices-uncrustables, maybe macaroni and cheese, maybe pizza. I wish they'd offer a "kid size" version of what's offered to adults. For instance, go to Tangerine Cafe and look at the kids meals options. Same as everywhere else. But a few places have a kids meals offering of the same type as the adult offerings, those are the places I order kids meals.